Improvement in methods of forming and welding links



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A. ALEXAN DER. ds of Forming 'and W eldi M No.158,

ng Links. Patented Dec. 22,1874.

INVENTOR WITNESSES 3 Sheets-'-Sheek-2.

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' A; ALEXA N D ethods of Farming and Pat FIG I" W Bldi FIC- IV WXTNESSE S 3 Sh'eets -Sheet 3.

A. ALEXANDER."

Methods of Farming. and welding Links.

$40,158,010, Patented Dec. 22', 1894.

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FlG VI V 5 Q o f FIG VII WITNESSES v INVENTQR I UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABRAM ALEXANDER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO FARRELLY ALDEN, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN METHODS OF FORMING AND WELDING LINKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,010, dated December 22, 1874; application filed May 22, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAM ALEXANDER, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in the Method of Welding and Forming Chain and other Links, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification of an improved machine for executing said method, for which another application will be filed, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the line 00 00. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4: is a horizontal section through the line z 2. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the line 3 y. Fig. 6 represents the trip for opening the half-nuts. Fig. 7 represents the half-nuts with their slots.

My invention relates to the welding and forming of chain and other links, and consists in the method of welding and forming hereinafter described and explained.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the exact manner in which I have carried it out.

In the drawings, 0 represents the housing or upright frame-work of the forge. A is a screw by which the hammer is raised, and

' has a thread working in the half-nuts G G.

To the side of the hammer B are attached the horizontal bars zz, between which slide the half-nuts. On each edge of the hammer are grooves, working over the guides d d. In each of the half-nuts G G are inclined grooves s 8, (see Fig. 7,) in which fit loosely the pins 8 s on the trip f. (See Fig. 6.) Over the trip f is secured the plate F, (see Fig. 3,) having on its centera pivot-pin fitting in the hole V of the trip. One end of the trip projects nearly to the upright frame 0, as shown in Fig. 3, and when at a determined height it comes in contact with the stop 19, by which the end of the trip is forced downward and the pin s, bearing downward against the incline s of one of the half-nuts, forces it from the screw A; and the pin 8, bearing upward against the incline in the other half-nut, forces that in the opposite direction, thus parting the nut and allowing the hammer to fall, when the ratchet-catch O is withdrawn, as shown in Fig. 1.

By means of the lever E and attached cranks the sliding abutment E for the dies is operated. When this sliding abutment is withdrawn the dies drop into the space below.

By means of the lever D and cam n the sliding bar M is operated, as shown in Fig. 2, and closes the dies for welding and forming chain and other links, the dies being in two parts.

L L, Fig. 2, represents the die for welding and forming the link. The parts L and L are each provided with a Ushaped groove; and when the parts are brought together, as shown in Fig. 2, the die is complete, and ready for the introduction of the metal rods. The part L is moved up to and against the part L by the sliding bar M, operated, as before stated, by lever D, acting on the cam n.

The straight metal rod is out into pieces equal to half the required length of the whole link. Two of these pieces, when at a weldingheat, are inserted in the die, (see Fig. 2,) the heated ends downward, one in each hole. The holes unite at their bottom, forming a continuous hole, and, when the metal is struck by the hammer, these pieces unite at the bottom of the die, and form a perfect weld. By the lever D and cam 01/ the sliding bar is then withdrawn, and the die is allowed to open, when the welded parts are removed. It is then only necessary to heat the opposite ends and treat them in the same manner, and the link is formed.

I am aware that it is not new to weld bent chain-links by forcing the open ends into a die and welding at a single blow, the same being shown in patent to Wm. Dennison, November 23, 1869, and to John B. Baugh, April 28,1874. But in such welding the link has been bent at one end and welded at the other, thus having a weakened point at one end of the link. I therefore do not claim, broadly, the welding of chain-links by forcing them into dies; but

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The method, herein described, of making, position to form and weld the opposite end of welding, and forming railway-car coupling the link, substantially as above set forth. and other links-that is to say, by first cutting thestraight metal bars into sections, two ABRAM ALEXANDER. of which sections form a link, then forcing Witnesses: these sections into dies to form and weld one JAMES CHALMERS,

end of the link, and afterward reversing their J NO. MCLAREN. 

